title: The likelihood of finding mature sperm cells in men with AZFb or AZFb-c deletions: six new cases and a review of the literature (1994-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To reassess the predictive value of detecting sperm cells in men with AZFb or AZFb-c deletions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of previously reported men with AZFb or AZFb-c deletions and the addition of six new cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fertility institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men with both sequence tagged site marker identification and testicular cytology/histology findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of reported men with microdeletions that included eligibility, data extraction and analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Availability of sperm cells for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in men with AZFb/AZFb-c microdeletions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average prevalences reported for AZFb, AZFb-c, partial AZFb, and partial AZFb-c in azoospermic men were 0.9%±0.07%, 2.7%±0.93%, 1.23%±0.9%, and 1%±0.6%, respectively. Sperm cells were identified in 7% and 3% of the 28 and 71 men with complete AZFb and AZFb-c and in 57% and 43% of the 14 and 7 men with partial AZFb and AZFb-c deletions, respectively. The likelihood of finding sperm cells in men with complete versus partial AZFb and AZFb-c deletions was significantly lower. As yet, no clinical or chemical pregnancy after ICSI in cases with complete AZFb/b-c microdeletions has been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Determining the extent of AZFb or AZFb-c deletions is critical considering the frequency and the reasonable prospect of finding sperm cells in partial AZFb/AZFb-c deletions. Referring men with complete AZFb/b-c microdeletions to testicular sperm extraction/ICSI programs should be revaluated.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Study of Fertility, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. ser@tasmc.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Sandra E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kleiman
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yogev
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lehavi
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Amnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Botchan
authors.forename: Gedalia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paz
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yavetz
authors.forename: Ronni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gamzu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011336:Probability; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020033:Protein Isoforms; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins